Simulation of the threat zone of benzene released from the safety relief valve in the petrochemical plant in accordance with occupational health, safety, and environmental standards

Abstract

Benzene production processes exist primarily in the petrochemical industry. In an overpressure situation, large amounts of benzene may be released via a safety relief valve (SRV) directly into the atmosphere and gets workers and people in the vicinity at risk of being exposed to them. Therefore, the objectives of this research are to model the affected area of the atmospheric benzene released from the SRV in three different seasons including summer, rainy, and winter. The software used to model air dispersion was Areal Location of Hazardous Atmospheres. Using technical data, meteorological data from one petrochemical plant in Chonburi province, Thailand, and various occupational health, safety, and environmental standards as levels of concern, the simulation showed that the distances in the impact zone of benzene dispersion were slightly different due to seasonal meteorological characteristics and the affected area depends on the dominant wind direction in each season. These results when compared with various standards can be adapted as a guideline of risk management and emergency preparedness of benzene production plants.